EastEnders has confirmed that Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and Mark Fowler Jr (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) will finally give in to their simmering sexual tension next week, after months of hints and a criminal arrangement that has brought them closer.
From Criminal Partnership to Passion
The pair have been growing close since embarking on a scheme where Mark supplies Lauren with stolen cars for her to resell at the car lot, which she co-owns with her father Max Branning (Jake Wood). The BBC soap heavily hinted at an affair in the New Year's Day flashforward episode, suggesting Lauren had been cheating on her husband Peter Beale (Thomas Law).
Next week, a dodgy deal goes wrong, igniting more than just a car ignition. In scenes airing from Monday, the pair argue when Lauren discovers Mark hasn't put fake number plates on the car he is illegally selling. With Mark already en route to deliver it, Lauren fears disaster, and sure enough, police spot him. Panicked, he speeds off and calls Lauren for help; they agree to meet at a lock-up.
Argument Turns to Passion
At the lock-up, a blazing argument soon turns into passion. Lauren eventually pulls away, but Mark is hooked and later asks her to meet him at the gym to 'talk'. Lauren agrees, playing with fire, but viewers will have to wait to see what happens next.
Later in the week, the Beale family gather at Harry's Barn for drinks ahead of Ian Beale's (Adam Woodyatt) hearing for his drink-driving charge. Lauren is stunned when Ian picks up on something and corners her, asking what she is hiding. She insists she loves Peter, but the question remains whether she believes it herself.
A Dangerous Affair Begins
According to the soap, this is only the start of a very dangerous affair. EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 20th July at 7.30pm on BBC One, or stream first from 6am on iPlayer.
